{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-calls-for-more-covid-19-relief-says-to-do-nothing-is-a", "BISHOP CALLS FOR MORE COVID-19 RELIEFSAYS TO DO NOTHING IS A DERELICTION OF DUTY", "2020-12-21", "2020", "2020-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "GA", "Sanford Bishop", "B000490", "bishop.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "COLUMBUS, GA  Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released the following statement regarding the passage of H.R. 133, the emergency COVID-19 relief and the FY21 funding bill by the full U.S House of Representatives:\nGeorgia is long overdue for more COVID-19 relief, which is why I supported this bill even though I think it does not provide sufficient direct payments, unemployment benefits, or funding for state, local, and tribal governments. In the House, we passed the Heroes Act in two different forms in hopes the Senate Majority Leader would understand the urgency of more aid for the American people. Unfortunately, he rejected our bills containing $1200 direct payments, $600 per week unemployment benefits, and $436 billion for state, local, and tribal governmentsand instead sought to protect the ultra-wealthy and hang working families out to dry.\nIt is unacceptable and heartless. However insufficient I find this relief proposal; it is still better than nothing. If it had been up to the Senate Republicans, Georgians would have received nothing. People are struggling more now than at the beginning of this pandemicto do nothing is a dereliction of duty.\nIn the House, we continued to fight for Americans everywhere who continue to struggle through this pandemic. We were able to negotiate $600 direct payments, $300 weekly unemployment payments, increased nutrition assistance, rental assistance, and an extension of the eviction moratorium. The bill replenishes the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and recognizes we will not be able to revive our economy until we get this virus under control. This bill will accelerate free vaccine distribution to as many Americans as soon as possible, as well as increase testing and tracing efforts so we can finally crush the virus.\nThough I am critical of the COVID-19 relief, I am very pleased with the FY 21 funding bills as a whole. We made many strong investments in the future of the American people, for the pandemic and beyond. I will continue to fight for more relief for our citizens, state and local governments, and small businesses as we move into the next Congress.\nThe COVID-19 section:\n Provides $600 direct payments per adult and child\n\tEnhanced $300 weekly unemployment benefits\n\tExtends the eviction moratorium and provides rental assistance\n\tAccelerates vaccine distribution and crushes the coronavirus\n\tIncreases SNAP and child nutrition benefits\n\tDelivers key tax benefits for struggling families\n\tStrong support for small businesseswith replenished Paycheck Protection Program\n\tFunds education, childcare, and students\n\tDelivers and improves affordable broadband access\n\tSecures key funding streams for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments\n\tCreates good-paying jobs in clean energy and infrastructure to fight the climate crisis\n\tEnds surprise billing\n\tSupports the global fight against COVID\n The FY21 Funding Bill:\n Expands broadband access for rural communities\n\tProvides pathways to better schools\n\tSupports servicemembers and military families\n\tHonors our responsibilities to veterans\n\tSupports hardworking taxpayers\n\tExpands access to housing\n\tTackles food insecurity\n\tKeeps our communities safe\n\tProtects our environment\n\tCombats climate change\n\tReverses harmful cuts to climate change programs\n\tFights for a more humane immigration approach\n\tCombats the gun violence epidemic\n\tBolsters international security and stability\n A summary of the FY 21 appropriations can be found here and authorizing matters here. A summary of the COVID-19 emergency relief section can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bishop.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bishop-calls-for-more-covid-19-relief-says-to-do-nothing-is-a"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8142650369554758, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}